Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), a member of GOP leadership, will not be seeking reelection in 2022.
“After 14 General Election victories, three to county office, seven to the United States House of Representatives, and four statewide elections, I won’t be a candidate for reelection to the United States Senate next year,” Blunt said in a video announcement on Monday.
He added, “There is still a lot to do, and I look forward to every day this year and next year as I continue to work for you in the Senate. Another lesson I learned here: finish strong, and I intend to.”
Watch his remarks below:
Thank you, Missourians, for the opportunity to work for you and a better future for our state and our country. pic.twitter.com/1GjX74zhZB
— Senator Roy Blunt (@RoyBlunt) March 8, 2021
Blunt’s announcement marks the latest retirement for Republicans in the Senate.
Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) announced in October of last year he would not be seeking reelection and is planning to leave public service.
“I always thought that I’d probably serve just two terms and often mentioned that along the way,” Toomey said at a news conference.
He called the reasons behind his decision “personal, not political.”
Toomey continued, “I’m looking forward to more time back at home.”
Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) said in January he would not be seeking reelection, citing division among the nation, as IJR previously reported.
“We live in an increasingly polarized country where members of both parties are being pushed further to the right and further to the left, and that means too few people who are actively looking to find common ground,” Portman said in a statement.
He added, “This is not a new phenomenon, of course, but a problem that has gotten worse over the past few decades. This is a tough time to be in public service.”
Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) revealed last month he would not be seeking a seventh term in office.
Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) announced in 2016 he would not be seeking reelection in 2022.